Long Slow Distance

By platanos

A real shiner

On Saturday I ran in the South Downs Marathon, 26.2 miles of chalk and flint paths, grassland and woodland trails criss-crossed with exposed tree routes.

I ran for several mlles with fellow Wadhurst Runner Derek, who was on that day running for his second team Tunbridge Wells Harriers. At about mile 17 I dropped back on a particularly steep hill and Derek ran ahead.

Then suddenly I tripped on an exposed flint and crashed to the ground onto my left shoulder, gashing my knee. My left calf cramped up. Another runner kindly helped me push the cramp out and hauled me to my feet. I thanked him and he carried on.

After a few minutes stretching, I set off again desperate to make up lost time. I passed the good samaritan about a mile later, and thanked him again for his aid.

About a mile further on I tripped on an exposed tree route and crashed to the ground again, this time on my face and left arm, and cramping up my right calf. The same good samaritan trotted up again (raising his eyes aloft in despair) and helped me to the nearby water station.

I rinsed off my wounds and set off again, limping on both legs, if indeed that is possible. My progress was slow, but I made it in the end, coming home in 04:42:12, about 15 minutes later than planned.

Happy with my medal, tee shirt, goody bag and post-race barbecue with @damiangrounds and @julialampam, I nevertheless ended up looking like this.

It doesn't hurt much, but the way the bruise wanders with each hour intrigues me. Quite colourful really, isn't it...

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